Calculate key rocket propulsion parameters using the Tsiolkovsky rocket equation. This calculator helps determine delta-v, mass ratio, and specific impulse for rocket design and space mission planning.
| Stage | Delta-V | Mass Ratio | Propellant Mass |
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The rocket equation, also known as the Tsiolkovsky rocket equation, is a mathematical equation that describes the motion of vehicles that follow the basic principle of a rocket: a device that can apply acceleration to itself using thrust by expelling part of its mass with high velocity.
Δv = ve × ln(m0 / m1)
Where:
Delta-V is the total change in velocity that a rocket can achieve. It's a crucial parameter in mission planning as it determines what orbits and trajectories are possible. Delta-V is measured in meters per second (m/s) or feet per second (ft/s).
The mass ratio (m0 / m1) is the ratio of the initial mass (with propellant) to the final mass (without propellant). A higher mass ratio means more propellant relative to the dry mass, which generally results in higher Delta-V.
Specific impulse is a measure of how efficiently a rocket uses propellant. It represents the impulse (change in momentum) per unit of propellant. Higher specific impulse means more efficient propellant usage. It's typically measured in seconds.
Multi-stage rockets discard spent stages during flight to reduce mass. This improves efficiency because the rocket doesn't have to accelerate the empty propellant tanks and engines from previous stages. The total Delta-V for a multi-stage rocket is the sum of the Delta-V contributed by each stage.
Some typical values for reference: